Who Pays for the Governor’s Carriage.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 175, 18 March 1873, Page 7

Who Pays for the Governor’s Carriage.

A peculiar case was heard in the Oamaru Resident Magistrate’s Court last week. A Mr Paterson sued the Superintendent for the sum of £3, for buggy hire. Counsel for the plaintiff (Mr Julius) said the case could not be tried on its merits without the evidence of the Governor and his aide-de-camp ; but Mr Parker, R.M., could not see that any particular object was to be gained thereby. The following conversation then took place : —Mr Julius said that he should, he believed, be able to prove that the buggy, hired from plaintiff for the conveyance of the Governor to church, was ordered by Major Pitt at the request of Mr Macandrew. He should be | able to show that the Governor was the guest i of the Superintendent, as the head of the j Province ; that arrangements had been made with Cobb and Co. for a special coach from Dunedin to the Waitaki—the boundary of the Province. That that coach was driven by Sears, and contained the Governor, his aide-de-camp, and the defendant, Mr Macandrew. That on the way up, a conversation took place between the parties, in consequence of Sears asking instructions as to whether he was to remain in Oamaru. Mr Macandrew asked Sears if a buggy and pair and a driver could be obtained in Oamaru, and, on receiving from Soars a reply in the affirmative, consulted with his Excellency, and, turning to Sears, told him that he would finally let him know what to do on his arrival at the “ house”—meaning Awa Moa House, the residence of the Hon. M. Holmes, where the Governor was to stay, and did stay while in Oamaru. A few minutes after the arrival, Major Pitt came out and told Sears, “You will have a buggy and pair here to-morrow morning (Sunday), and can return to town.” The buggy was accordingly ordered by Sears from plaintiff, and used on the following day (the Sunday) by the defendant and his Excellency. He supposed that the defendant would try to make out that Major Pitt or the Governor was responsible for the hire, but he believed he would be able to show that Major Pitt was merely acting as agent for Mr Macandrew, whose guest the Governor was, and who now, it appeared, to the disgrace of the Province, wanted to shift the responsibility on to the shoulders of his guest or his aide-de-camp. Mr Hislop ; My learned friend is incorrect. His Excellency was the guest of the Hon. M. Holmes.

Mr Julius : Well, at any rate, somebody is responsible to my client for the service rendered, and it does appear to me exceedingly discreditable to somebody or other that such a matter as this should be allowed to go into Court. I may say that it is not so much for the trifling sum that we take action as for the sake of principle. In any case, whether we win or lose, the plaintiff will he out of pocket, and we shall send a private petition to the Provincial Council praying to be recouped the costs incurred.